Lively/Walden Business History Archive page 3
Lively/Walden Business History Archive
Page 3 – I – M
Ionic Mechanical
Jackson auto
Diana Leblanc’s Journey and Legacy – Inspired by a love for baking and family, Joyful Home started in her kitchen in 2018 and has grown into a thriving business, now run by her husband and daughter, Cory and Alysha, in Lively, Ontario. Though Diana passed in 2021, her passion lives on through our commitment to quality, sustainability, and supporting local artisans. Explore our hand-poured soy wax candles and melts and discover the warmth and comfort of Joyful Home.
JDA
KayCan
Keith R. Thompson Inc (KRT)
Kenworth
Komatsu
Kovaterra
While a detailed, timeline-based history of Kwikway isn’t available, it is a familiar local convenience store in the Sudbury area .
Laaminin
Legend boats
Lively Golf & Country Club
Lively IDA
MacLean
Maestro Digital Mine
Mammoet
Manitoulin Transport’s history is a definitive Canadian success story, charting the evolution of a small-town grocery wholesaler into a global logistics powerhouse.
The Foundations (1950s–1960)
The story began in Gore Bay, on Manitoulin Island, where Douglas (Doug) A. Smith joined his family’s business, Smith’s Wholesale. In 1957, Doug began hauling fresh produce from Toronto to the island using a custom-built, insulated truck to ensure freshness. By 1960, after acquiring Hill’s Transport and its Class A license, the company officially became Manitoulin Transport, originally operating with a single license to carry freight between Toronto and the island.
Strategic Growth and Deregulation
In the 1960s and 70s, the company expanded into the mining and industrial sectors of Northern Ontario. A major turning point arrived in the late 1980s. While many competitors struggled with industry deregulation and a severe recession, Doug Smith chose to aggressively expand. Through strategic acquisitions—such as Motor Express Montreal in 1985—the company rapidly transitioned from a regional player to a national carrier.
A Modern Global Entity
By the 1990s and 2000s, the company diversified significantly, launching a U.S. division and adding services such as:
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Intermodal rail and international freight forwarding.
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Customs brokerage (Near North Custom Brokers).
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Specialized logistics for the mining, oil, and gas sectors.
Today, the Manitoulin Group of Companies remains privately held and is led by Doug’s sons, Gord and Jeff Smith. Despite operating over 85 terminals across North America, the company maintains its headquarters in Gore Bay. It is widely recognized for its iconic “red cab” fleet and its status as the first Canadian carrier to achieve ISO 14001 environmental certification.
Marks
McDougal energy
Meadowbrook
Moran Fab
MWM